Last updated on November 5, 2023 by Roger Kaufman
Who is Bobby McFerrin | What is pentatonic scale
Bobby McFerrin is an American musician, composer and singer. He is best known for his 1988 single "Don't Worry, Be Happy".
McFerrin is also a gifted improviser and is known for his ability to sing the pentatonic scale.
Pentatonic scale explained
Pentatonic is a musical concept, which is based on five tones.
There are five different pentatonic scales based on five different keys.
Each of these keys has its own pentatonic scale, which has a different timbre.
The pentatonic scale is a very flexible musical concept and can be used in many different musical styles.
McFerrin can sing this scale without playing or composing it.
McFerrin has spoken about his ability to sing the pentatonic scale in a few interviews.
Bobby McFerrin (born March 11, 1950 in The Big Apple, New York, USA), American performer, is known for his remarkable vocal control and improvisational potential.
He mixed folk songs, stone and spirit melodies from the 1960s as well as jazz themes with authentic lyrics.
He preferred to sing without worrying about the lyrics and he could do the sounds of several Musical instruments imitate with wonderful skills.
Bobby McFerrin | Pentatonic
Source: The Real Bobby McFerrin
McFerrin's mother and father Both actually had careers as singer/singer brought behind.
His mother, a soprano, was actually a Metropolitan Opera judge who led the vocal team at Fullerton University near Los Angeles, and his father, who sang at the Met, referenced actor Sidney Poitier's voice on the Porgy of 1959 and on Bess soundtrack.
In McFerrin's boys For years he was inclined to become a pop music official, but after attending Golden State Condition College in Sacramento and Cerritos University in Norwalk, The Golden State, he was an alternative pianist and also organist along with the Ice Follies Ice skating show and pop music bands.
In 1977, he auditioned for a singing job and accepted it. As a swinging jazz and also ballad singer, McFerrin actually explored in 1980 along with well-known jazz singer Jon Hendricks.
Influenced by Keith Jarrett's improvised piano concertos, he developed the nerve to perform alone in 1982.
McFerrin released his self-titled debut CD in 1982, followed by The Voice (1984), which was unusual in that it contained no accompaniment. Spontaneous Developments (1985), with music by Herbie Hancock and Manhattan Transmission; and also Straightforward Satisfaction (1988) with the hit “Do not Stress, Enjoy”.
He additionally recorded television commercials and a signing for The Cosby Show; improvised popular music for Star Port Nicholson's readings of Rudyard Kipling's children's stories; and a CD with cellist Yo-Yo Ma entitled Hush in 1992 entlassen.
Indeed, McFerrin was perhaps better understood for his impulsiveness; Together he could walk around with the amphitheater voice, Lieder included on listener labels, having its reader perform in choirs or breaking into a short variation of The Wizard of Ounces with tornado noises and munchkin, wizard and even scarecrow voices.
On the document, he was able to improvise all parts of a vocal team himself, as he did in “Don't Fret, Be Happy.”
In 1995, McFerrin Newspaper launched Popular Music, an album he worked on with the St. Paul (Minnesota) Chamber Orchestra, which featured orchestral jobs from Mozart, Bach, Rossini and various other experts, with the melodies vocalized rather than participated in.
By the start of the 21st century, McFerrin's job had reached 10 Grammy Honors. His later recordings include Circlesongs (1997) and LEXICON (2010), for which he various world music customs to create minimally harmonic choral pieces.
the impressionistic jazz music CD Beyond Phrases (2002); and Spirityouall (2013), a tribute to African American spirituals.
Let go with the five-tone music of Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin demonstrates the power of pentatonic, with audience participation, at the Word Science Festival eventNotes & Neurons".
That's the pentatonic scale oldest (3700 years) proven sound system.
It's interesting and unbelievable what you can do with five notes and secretly beautiful music can do magic, it just depends on how you put them together.
You probably know them Music the Bobby McFerrin classic “Don’t Worry Be Happy”?
I could tell you that the song “Don't Worry Be Happy” is always... Let go will be good, but you probably already know that :)
Source: World Science Festival
20 pentatonic sayings and quotes
“Less is more – the whispers of the pentatonic often drown out the screams of the chromatic.” - Unknown
Five notes, infinite Stories – the pentatonic scale is the minimalist masterpiece of music.” - Unknown
“The pentatonic scale – where music becomes the native language.” - Unknown
There is an echo in every pentatonic melody alter cultures.” - Unknown
The pentatonic plays and the world listens - one Language without words.” - Unknown
“Every note in the pentatonic carries a universe of feelings.” - Unknown
“The Pentatonic Scale: A Simple Puzzle That Fits Together into a Complex Picture.” - Unknown
“The soul dances with the pentatonic scale – five steps are enough.” - Unknown
“The pentatonic scale – the golden key that opens all musical doors.” - Unknown
“One touch of the pentatonic scale and you reach for the heart of the music.” - Unknown
The pentatonic scale is the mother of all scales and speaks one universal musical language.” - Unknown
“In the simplicity of the pentatonic scale lies an infinite world of expressive possibilities.” - Unknown
The pentatonic scale is the key that opens the door to improvisation; It's simple enough for beginners, yet profound enough to become a master live busy for a long time.” - Unknown
“The pentatonic scale is not just a collection of tones, but the heritage of many cultures.” - Unknown
“Pentatonic: Five notes, thousands of melodies.” - Unknown
“When you feel lost in music, find your way back to the pentatonic scale.” - Unknown
“The limitation of five tones in the pentatonic scale forces the musician to think creatively outside the boundaries.” - Unknown
“Before sailing through complex harmonies, let the pentatonic scale guide you.” - Unknown
“The blues pentatonic scale is such a good scale to learn. It’s like a map that takes you everywhere.” – BB King
FAQ about pentatonic
What is Pentatonic?
In music, pentatonic refers to a scale or tonal system that includes five tones per octave. The term is derived from the Greek words “pente” (five) and “tonik” (tones).
What types of pentatonic scales are there?
There are primarily two types of pentatonic scales most commonly used in Western music: the major pentatonic scale and the minor pentatonic scale.
How is the major pentatonic scale structured?
The major pentatonic scale consists of tones 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the major scale. In C major these would be the notes C, D, E, G and A.
And how is the minor pentatonic scale structured?
The minor pentatonic scale is made up of the tones 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the natural minor scale. In A minor these would be the notes A, C, D, E and G.
For which musical styles is the pentatonic scale particularly characteristic?
Pentatonic scales are used in many musical styles, but they are particularly characteristic of the folk music of many cultures, blues, rock and jazz.
Is the pentatonic scale easy to learn?
Yes, the pentatonic scales are considered relatively easy to learn because they only have five tones and allow for very catchy melodies.
Can the pentatonic scale be played on all instruments?
Yes, pentatonic scales can basically be played on all melody-capable instruments.
What is the best way to practice pentatonic scales on an instrument?
The best way to learn the pentatonic scales is to practice them note by note, become familiar with the intervals, and then start playing simple melodies or improvisations in each scale.
Are there also pentatonic chords?
Chords formed solely from notes on a pentatonic scale are possible, but are not specifically defined as "pentatonic chords" in Western music. Instead, you use chords that fit harmoniously with the pentatonic scales.
Can you also play “wrong” notes with the pentatonic scale?
Because the pentatonic scales are very harmonious, notes from these scales are unlikely to sound dissonant when played over the appropriate chords. “Wrong” notes in the sense of dissonant sounds are therefore rare, although inappropriate rhythmic placement or dynamics can still lead to musically less convincing results.
Are there any special features when composing with pentatonic scales?
When composing with pentatonic scales, it is often observed that the music is less bound to functional harmonics and instead often appears modal because there are fewer semitone steps and associated leading tones.
Is there anything else I should know about pentatonic scales?
Yes, there are some more interesting ones Points over the pentatonic scale, which are worth mentioning:
Universal Presence: The pentatonic scale is one of the most widely used scales in the world. It is found in the traditional music of many cultures around the world, from Celtic melodies to African music to East Asian sounds.
Musical expressiveness: Despite its limitation to five tones, the pentatonic scale allows for rich musical expression. Many famous melodies, particularly in folk, rock and pop music, are based on pentatonic patterns.
Improvisation: The pentatonic scale is particularly popular in jazz and blues improvisation because of its catchiness and the lower risk of playing disharmonious tones. Musicians find the pentatonic scales a solid foundation for melodic solos and improvisations.
Educational value: For music lessons and self-study, the pentatonic scale offers an easily accessible introduction to the world of tones and scales. Children's songs and simple melodies are often based on pentatonic patterns, which supports the learning process.
Variations and extensions: In addition to the classic major and minor pentatonic scales, there are also extended forms such as the blues pentatonic scale, in which an additional "blue note" (a diminished fifth in the case of the minor pentatonic scale or an augmented fourth in the case of the major pentatonic scale) is added to produce a characteristic sound.
Application in composition: The restriction to five tones in the pentatonic scale can be used consciously in composition to create a certain atmosphere or to concentrate on the essentials. This is often used in minimal music and film music.
Intercultural meaning: Studying the pentatonic scales can also lead to a better understanding of musical practices and theories other cultures contribute. Because the pentatonic scale is prevalent in many non-Western musical traditions, it often serves as a bridge in intercultural musical exchange.
Harmonics and Pentatonics: Although the pentatonic scale itself does not prescribe specific chords, it does suggest through its tones which chords are harmonically appropriate. The harmonic accompaniment is often matched to the notes of the pentatonic scale, resulting in a clear and strong harmony.
By using the pentatonic scale in different musical contexts, one can fully exploit its flexibility and expressive power.
Many musicians continue to discover new facets of these scales, making the pentatonic scale an exciting and dynamic element of musical practice.
